Anti Virus

[SeaJayPea]

For years, BT have been providing their Net Protect Plus service to me included in my broadband package. No longer without payment, it would appear. Well, they can sod off.

Which of the free anti-virus packages would other ABers recommend? I'm (still) using Windows XP.

I've seen mention of Avast, AVG and all manner of other products. Ideas?

Thanks a lot.

[CrapAtCryptics]

AVG currently have issues - its on the BBC site - so stay away from them.
I strongly support, after many trouble free years of use, Norton Security the latest version of which covers PCs, tablets and phones. Why pay 100s for a computer then baulk at £20 to be safe.

[Tuvok]

My BT account says that its inclusive!

[4candles]

After trying Avira and AVG for a while, I've now returned to Avast - also on Win XP.

What I think *is* worth paying for is real-time malware protection - SuperAntiSpyware or Malwarebytes.They will run happily with an AV product.

[SlackAlice]

I'm using AVG free with no issues.

The issue CrapAtCryptics mentions was with AVG Web Tune Up which has now been resolved.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-35198435

AVG Web Tune Up is not part of AVG free.

I have also used Kaspersky and Comodo with no problems either. My pc's have been virus free for about 15yrs using the free versions.

[gingejbee]

If you must have "free"....Avast Free Antivirus is the best performer.
Best-performing paid-for security software is Kaspersky Internet Security 2016...available for less than £20 on-line...but you may get it free with on-line banking (I get it free with my Barclays account). Other banks do similar free security suites.

[jno]

AVG is fine for me, though apparently it briefly caused problems for people using Chrome. Just make sure you install the free version and untick anything else. Malwarebytes is also free. You can use them both - AVG runs all the time, but you have to do a scan with Malwarebytes every so often (once a week, say).

[VHG]

Note NetProtectPlus is a full internet security suite, whereas most "free" anti virus packages are just that, for viruses only.

Computer security is FAR more than just viruses, there is spyware, malware, phishing and so on.

A free A/V product wont protect against them.

p.s. Probably the most dangerous thing you are running is Windows XP as Microsoft are now no longer supporting it or updating it with security patches so it will be wide open for security issues.

[Old_Geezer]

Personally I'd prefer my anti-malware programmes not running in real time and using up resources. (I note SAS likes to kick itself off and sit in the toolbox.) If it's not bad enough to be caught by the anti-virus software it can wait until the weekend to be dealt with.

[SeaJayPea]

Thanks all. On reflection I've decided to follow VHG's advice and go with a full security suite. I have the offer of a deal with Norton, so I'll use that for now at any rate.

Happy New Year to you all, and thanks.

[piggynose]

i wanted avast, but every time i´ve tried to use it after downloading it keeps saying theres a n error, so i´ve scrapped it, i downloaded avg, but it only works with an internet connection, isn´t that a tad strange?

[Old_Geezer]

Very.
What's up with your PC ?
Are you sure you downloaded what you thought you downloaded ?
Web connection should only be needed for database updates. But if you don't get on the Net then your chances of getting a virus is much lower.

[piggynose]

og, nothings wrong with my pc, it just feels better to have an anti virus, not having one doesnt feel right.